Fruit basket crate



Oct 1931- w. A. ADAMS 1,825,197

FRUIT BASKET CRATE Filed June 24, 1929 I INVENTOR. [/0 mm 62. LZddWI LM Jmjiwg f zag v MM TORNEYS.

Patented Dot. 6, 1931 warren stares 'VVALLACE A. ADAMS, F

FRUIT BASKET CRATE Application filed June 24,

My present invention relates to a new type of berry crate and more particularly to one formed of a single piece of fibrous material such as cardboard.

The object of my invention is to provide a new, novel and inexpensive crate for carrying fruit baskets and the like.

A further object of my invention is to provide a crate of the above character in the form of a tray so that any number of such trays may be superimposed, one above the other, and thus form a complete crate of any desired number of trays.

For a better understanding of my invention, reference should be had to the acco1npanying drawings, wherein I have shown by way of illustration and not of limitation, a preferred form of my invention.

In the drawings Fig. l is a perspective view showing my improved tray with a number of baskets arranged therein in their proper positions,

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a fiat cover member suitable for use with my improved tray,

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of a corner of my improved tray showing a modified form of supporting means which functions to hold the trays in spaced relation when superimposed one upon the other, and i Fig. 4 is a side elevation with a portion in section showing the manner of superimposing and supporting the trays when nested.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings, 10 designates the main portion of material which forms the tray body. This portion 10 has upturned sides 11 and up-turned end portions 12 formed integrally therewith and the end portions 12 carry extending tongues 13 which fold adjacent the upwardly extending side portions 11 so that, when they are secured in this position, a rectangular-shaped tray will be formed. The up-standing end portions 12- diverge slightly outward and extend a short distance above the upper limits of the side portions 11 so as to form a recess into which the bottom of another tray may be placed. Associated with the upwardly extending portions of the ends 12, I show a strip of material 14 which carries downwardly 1929. Serial No. 373,152.

projecting ends adapted to be disposed between the side portions 11 of the box and the flaps or tongue portions 13, so that it will be held firmly in place. A member 14 0f this character is arranged at each end of the tray and in this position they serve as a support for another tray, should it be desired to place one thereupon.

The side portions 11 are shown as cut away slightly along their top edge so that when another tray is superimposed upon the one illustrated, there will be a ventilating space provided for the free circulation of air between thetwo trays. The bottom portion 10 is also shown as having a number of perforations 15 formed at various points for the purpose of providing additional air circulating passageways. These apertures 15 in the preferred embodiment are arranged so that 5;; they will occur at the points in the tray adjacent the meeting corners of the baskets and in this way they will co-operate with the ventilating passageways formed in the baskets, as is disclosed in an application being filed by me concurrently herewith.

In Fig. 2 of the drawings, I show a rectangular piece of material 16 which may be placed upon the supports 14 and in this manner afford a covering for the tray, SllOHlClgj, such a covering be found desirable. 30

In Fig. 3 of the drawings, wherein I have illustrated a modified form of supporting means, I show instead of the relatively long strip 14, a piece of tape or other fabric 17. In this instance, the fabric 17 is shown as passing through slits arranged in the side member 11 and end member 12, so that when the fabric 17 is glued to the side 11 and end 12, it will be held firmly in place and tllHSa; afford a support under the corners of either the cover 16 or an additional tray, should one be placed thereupon.

By referring to Fig. 4c of the drawings, it will be seen that the trays are flared slightly outwardly so that their dimensions in the zone of the supports 14 and 17 correspond to that of the bottom of the tray and in this manner afford a means whereby any number of these trays may be superimposed one upon the other so as to produce, in effect, what might be termed a crate. In this latter event, it will be understood that, when for instance, a number of trays are superimposed, one upon the other, a suitable means in the form oi a clip or other tying means will be provided to hold the trays in this nested condition.

Vhile I haveshown the preferred form of my invention as now known to me, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in its construction without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and eesire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A crate for berry baskets and the like comprising a single piece of fibrous material having upwardly extending sides and upwardly extending end-portions which, told around and overlap said side portions at the ends of the crate, said end portions and overlapping side portions being adapted to extend upwardly beyond the upper limits of the crate, and means associated with the side portions adjacent said upwardly extending end portions adapted to support a second crate out o't'contactwith the contents of said first crate.

2. A crate tor berry baskets and the like comprlsing a single piece of fibrous material l-iaving.upwardly extending sides and upcrate, and a strip of fibrous material extending between the side portions adjacent said upwardly extending end portions having its ends inserted between the sides and the overlapping end portions adapted to support a second crate out of contact with the contents of said first crate.

3. A crate for berry baskets and the like having upwardly extending side and end portions, means supported by the side portions and adjacent said upwardly extending end portions adapted to support a second crate thereupon, said crate having ventilating apertures formed therein adapted to permit a free circulation of air through any number of said crates when superimposed one upon the other.

4. A crate of the character described comprisinga bottom, side portions and end portionsextending upwardly tromthe bottom, said end portions being higher than the side portions and sloping outwardly from the bottom, whereby the bottom of a second crate may be inserted between them, and means for supporting the bottom of the. second crate substantially'in the plane of the top edges of the side portions and between the end portions.

lVALLACE A. ADAMS. 

